Bringing High Energy to the Comedy Stage

If an audience member sees comedian Keith Purnell perform 100 times, he or she might see some of the same jokes. But, on the whole, he or she will see a different show each time.

“It’s different because I like to improvise and feed off the audience,” Purnell said. “I could do the same bit in five different shows. But, each time, the reaction and how I do it is different.”

Purnell brings his high-energy act to Scotty’s on Friday, balancing a steady stream of prepared jokes and audience interaction.

“I have a lot of fun with what I do,” he said. “If you see me up on stage laughing, I’m laughing for real.”

Purnell got his start in comedy in his native Delaware about 15 years ago after he and a friend decided to check out an open mic at a Comedy Cabaret club.

Realizing the acts were decent for amateurs and that they could do just as well, if not better, they decided to spend the following month writing jokes and preparing for the next open mic.

“The day before we were to go on, my buddy got cold feet,” Purnell said. “I went by myself, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Purnell said that starting out as a young comic in Delaware and Philadelphia-area clubs at the end of the stand-up comedy boom was a great experience because he was able to work with some of today’s more well-known acts, such as Jim Norton, Bob Levy and Jim Florentine.

Opportunities for young comics also abounded during that time, with some stand-ups able to do anywhere from two to three shows a night.

“It was still such a new thing at the time,” he said. “You could go to three or four restaurants, and each place would have a comedy night.”

Although he said those opportunities eventually leveled off and stage time dried up, Purnell said he has noticed the scene picking up again over the last five years.

“In the Philadelphia area alone, you can literally do seven nights a week,” he said. “It’s definitely picking up.”

In addition to the Philadelphia-Delaware area, Purnell performs his way up the East Coast, hitting clubs in Boston, New York and, of course, New Jersey.

Purnell will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at the Comedy Cove at Scotty's Steak House. His set will be preceded by comedians Vinnie Nardiello and Rob Epple. Tickets are $12. Visit the club's website for more information.